From cooking meals to our jobs to social activities – our lives are busy and hectic. It probably seems like there’s not enough time to get your hearing evaluated. And maybe you don’t even notice any hearing loss – so you think a hearing test can wait.
You shouldn’t wait – here’s why:
1. You Can Stop Additional Hearing Loss
Because hearing loss often progresses gradually, many people don’t realize how bad it’s become. Over time, without even noticing it, they start compensating and making changes to their lifestyle. And because they don’t recognize they have hearing loss, they continue to engage in activities that worsen their hearing loss.
But knowledge is power.
Getting your hearing checked can be eye-opening. You can slow the advancement of hearing loss but there is no way to undo the damage already done.
It will be helpful to find out how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
Exercising, reducing your blood pressure, and dealing with chronic diseases more thoroughly can slow hearing loss advancement.
Your ears will be safeguarded from further damage by using ear protection when exposed to loud noises and reducing your exposure.
2. You’re Missing More Than You Realize
If you are dealing with moderate hearing loss, you might have slowly forgotten how much you enjoy listening to music. You might not remember what it’s like to have a discussion without asking friends or family members to repeat themselves.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite things and spending time with friends.
You can find out just how much hearing loss you have by getting a hearing assessment. In the majority of cases, we can help you hear better.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
Perhaps you already use hearing aids but you really don’t like to wear them. You might not think they help very much. Getting your hearing retested by a hearing specialist will help you discover if you have the correct hearing aid for your kind and level of hearing loss and whether it’s properly adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re At Risk Already
Thirteen percent of people 12 and older in the U.S. (30 million people) have measurable hearing loss in both ears. And debilitating hearing loss is experienced by 8.5% of adults 55 to64. Environmental factors are typically to blame. It’s not simply something that develops when you get older. Exposure to loud noise causes the majority of it.
If you engage in the following activities, you’re at a greater risk:
- Hunt or target shoot with firearms
- Turn your headphones or earbuds up too loud
- Ride a motorcycle or snowmobile
- Have a loud job
- Use a motorized lawnmower
- Go to concerts, plays, or concerts
All of these daily activities can lead to hearing loss. You need to go have your hearing checked by a hearing professional as soon as possible if you notice a decline in your ability to hear regardless of what your age is.
5. Your Over-all Health Will Improve
Individuals with untreated hearing loss have a substantially higher chance of:
- Social solitude (preferring to be alone)
- Falls that result in injuries
- Missing or skipping out on doctor appointments
- Anxiety
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Slow healing or repeated hospital admissions
- Depression
Having your hearing tested is about more than only your hearing.
6. Strained Relationships Can be Restored
Friends and family members can lose their patience when dealing with someone who has neglected hearing loss. Misunderstandings are more common. Everyone will get aggravated with the situation, including you. Regret and resentment can be the outcome. Friends and family members may even exclude you from gatherings versus needing to constantly repeat what they said.
But misunderstandings and troubled relationships can be prevented by getting a hearing test and that’s the good news.